Area Code 01482 Hull

Kingston upon Hull (known informally as Hull) is a city in the East Riding of Yorkshire. It sits on the junction between the River Hull and the Humber Estuary. Hull was first built around a quay at this intersection between the river and estuary for the Cistercian Meaux monks’ wool trade. The city has a rich history, having been a market town, military supply hub, fishing port and centre for industry. The name originates from 1299 when Edward 1st renamed it from ‘Wyke on Hull’ to ‘King’s Town Upon Hull’. The city is perhaps best known for the impressive Humber Bridge which spans the estuary, linking the East Riding of Yorkshire with North Lincolnshire.

Hull is also famous for the city’s municipally-owned telephone boxes which are cream, rather than the traditional red. Hull was the birthplace of Amy Johnson, the first female pilot to fly alone from Britain to Australia in 1930. The English poet and novelist Philip Larkin came from Hull. He won many honours for his works including the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry. The city was also the birthplace of William Wilberforce, who was responsible for leading the bill which led to the abolition of slavery in British colonies in 1833. The city boasts one of the world’s strangest street names. The origins for the street name, ‘The Land of Green Ginger’ which is found at the bottom of Whitefriargate, in Hull’s Old Town, have been lost in time.

One of Hull’s biggest tourist attractions is its impressive aquarium know as The Deep. The aquarium (also said to be the world’s only submarium) is home to around 3,500 fish and a collection of Gentoo penguins. The aquarium even has a restaurant in which diners can sit surrounded by fantastic tank-side views of the fish.

Other attractions to visitors include Hull Marina, next to which you can find the retro Fruit Market. This area is now a hive of creative and cultural activity, home to art galleries, live music, boutique markets, restaurants and pubs. The city’s Museum Quarter houses several free museums including the Streetlife Museum and the last Hull side fishing boat, Arctic Corsair. Hull also boasts two sporting venues; KC stadium and Hull Arena. It is home to two Superleague rugby teams and Premier League football team, Hull City. In 2013, it was announced that Hull would be the UK’s Capital of Culture for 2017.